City Council Votes to Allow COLAs

In an evening focused on the needs of retired public employees and senior citizens, the Cambridge City Council voted to allow yearly cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in the pensions of retired city employees and heard a presentation on transportation available for seniors.

Before the public comment session, the council voted to suspend the rules and discuss COLAs for retired city employees.

Members of the Cambridge Retirement Board along with members of other groups representing retired city workers urged the council to adopt an ordinance that will allow the appointed Cambridge Retirement Board (CRB) to pass yearly COLAs at its discretion.

The CRB recently voted unanimously that the council should adopt the ordinance.

Declaring the ordinance the "right thing to do," Councillor Michael A. Sullivan voted with a unanimous council to pass the new law.

Shawn H. Duhamel, a legislative liaison for the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts, said the COLAs would benefit about 1,700 retired public employees, many of whom do not qualify for social security and who must live on an average pension of $11,000 per year.

John T. Rocca, a 72-year-old retired employee of the fire department, said he approved of the council's vote.

"It's something that's long overdue," Rocca said.

"There are a lot of people who will benefit," agreed 73-year-old John F. Reiley, another retired firefighter.

Prior to the vote, councillors heard from Jill Herold, assistant city manger in charge of human services, as well as members of the Cambridge Council on Aging (CCOA), who presented a report on the transportation services available to Cambridge seniors.

CCOA representatives said their organization spends most of its time providing information on transportation.

The presenters highlighted the numerous programs available to Cambridge residents over the age of 60, including taxi coupons, a shuttle service to medical appointments and grocery shopping, and discount fares for the T.

Representatives from the CCOA also discussed the acquisition of a new shuttle bus which transports seniors from various pick-up locations around the city to the City's Senior Center.

Members of the council praised the CCOA's efforts.

"I think cab service [for seniors] has improved," said Councillor Sheila D. Russell.

Fellow Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 agreed but said that there was still room for improvement.

"I'm not yet sure we have enough transportation [for seniors]," he said.

"It is important that information is disseminated...[and that] we continue to advocate for expanded services," he added.

In other council business, councillors heard from numerous members of the Carpenter's Union Local #40 who spoke in favor of the Bulfinch Proposal, which will allow for development of two properties on Mass. Ave. in the heart of Central Square.

At the end of the evening, the council passed a resolution congratulating Professor of Afro-American Studies and Professor of the Philosophy of Religion Cornel R. West '74 and Wiener Professor of Social Policy William Julius Wilson, who are the first black scholars to be appointed to the position of University Professor.

The Council Passed another resolution welcoming Mary T.W. Robinson, former president of Ireland and Harvard's Commencement Day speaker.